A/N: This fic contains potentially triggering subject matter including but not limited to: suicidal references, gun violence, sexual trauma, homelessness, drug abuse, depression, homophobia, and cancer. It may contain inaccuracies. No copyright infringement intended. Thanks for reading!
BOOK TWO - PART TWO - CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Later that night, Robbie, Bryson, Cat, Sam, Jade and Tori were all sitting together in Cat's living room, discussing the release of their EP.
"It's really good, but people won't be expecting it from you, Cat," Bryson was saying, looking at Sam's drawing. "Are you sure it's not too gory?"
"I think it's perfect. It's about shocking the fans, right?" Jade spoke up. "This'll definitely get their attention."
"We'll use it if you want," Robbie said to Cat. "It does fit the theme pretty well."
"I want to use it," Cat replied, then turned to Sam. "Is it really okay if we use it?"
Sam shrugged one shoulder. "I guess."
"Great. It's decided, then." Bryson took the paper. "I'll get it scanned in. We're all good for a release tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. Let's drop it early—how 'bout eight o'clock?" Cat suggested.
"Eight works. That's it, then—we're done," Robbie remarked. "We did it. This is actually happening." He hadn't expected Cat to come out this way, but there was no changing that now.
"Awesome. Should we celebrate?" Tori asked. "Who wants pizza?"
Everyone voiced their agreement.
"I'll call it in. Just the usual?"
Cat turned to Sam and quietly said, "Did you want to try to have some pizza? We can get a plain cheese one, if that helps."
Sam was embarrassed—everyone was looking at her. "No, I'm okay."
"You need to eat," Cat stated firmly. "Is there anything that sounds good?"
Sam considered that for a long moment, then mumbled, "Chicken wings."
Cat was pleased—Sam must be starting to feel like herself again if she was requesting chicken.
"We can get you some chicken wings," Tori kindly told her. "Spicy?"
"Extra spicy," Sam responded. She hesitated, then quietly added, "And ranch dipping sauce."
"No problem. I'll go call," Tori replied, pulling out her phone and wandering away into the kitchen.
"We can watch a movie once it gets here. Who wants to see the new Voyage?" Robbie offered. As a screenwriter, he was friends with some famous directors and often got access to new movies. Voyage was still in theaters, but he'd obtained a copy earlier this week.
"I'm down for that," Bryson said.
"Not a bad idea," Jade agreed. "Cat?"
Cat was a bit unsure—the first Voyage had had some parts that she'd had to cover her eyes for. But she felt a little more secure with Sam here to protect her. "Okay. Only if Sam wants to, too." She turned to her.
"That'd actually be really cool. Thanks," Sam told Robbie. She was still getting used to the superstar lifestyle. A part of her hoped that perhaps Cat might let her hold her during the scary parts, like they used to do. She'd missed that a lot.
"Cool. We'll start it when the food gets here," Robbie answered.
Just then, Tori re-entered the room. "It'll be here in half an hour," she told them.
"We're gonna watch the new Voyage. You in?" Robbie asked her.
Tori smiled. "Yeah, definitely. Dylan's gonna be so jealous."
"Who wants a drink while we wait?" Robbie offered, and led the group to the kitchen. He opened up the liquor cabinet and began pouring drinks for everyone. Sam was surprised—Cat had previously told her there was almost no alcohol in the house.
Jade stepped up next to Sam before she could refuse hers. "You still can't drink, huh?"
"No." Sam was annoyed—she didn't want to draw attention to it. "It doesn't matter. Leave me alone."
Jade leaned in a little closer to her and lowered the volume of her voice. "You wanna go smoke?"
Sam immediately looked interested. Her eyes flicked over to her. "Smoke?"
Jade smirked and motioned to her purse. "I'll let you roll it. We can go out behind the house."
Sam didn't even need to think twice. "Okay. Yeah, sure." She turned to Cat, who hadn't been paying attention to them. "Hey, Cat? Me and Jade are gonna go… do something. I'll be back soon."
"Do what?" Cat asked.
"Uh…" Sam wasn't sure what to say.
"We're gonna go get high," Jade responded openly. "You wanna come with us?"
Cat looked disapproving of that. "You're gonna do drugs?"
Jade chuckled. "Just weed. Come on; you should finally try some. It'll be fun."
"No, thank you." Cat gave Sam a peck on the lips but made no effort to stop her from leaving. "Be careful. Don't overdo it, okay?"
"I won't. We'll be back in a little while," Sam told her. "Go have a drink or something."
Cat sighed. "'Kay 'kay." She watched Sam and Jade walk away to the back door together.